The WCL Championship was originally known as World Cricket League Division One, and was played twice under that name (in 2007 and 2010).

Those were hosted as standalone tournaments, but a new format was subsequently introduced in which competing teams play multiple games against each other over several years (mirroring the Intercontinental Cup, a first-class competition).

All matches in the WCL Championship hold List A status, while matches between higher-ranking teams hold One Day International (ODI) status.

The first WCL Division One tournament in 2007 featured the top six teams from the 2005 ICC Trophy, while the 2010 tournament featured the top six teams from the 2009 World Cup Qualifier.

The top two teams from the 2011–13 competition (Ireland and Afghanistan) gained automatic qualification for the 2015 World Cup.